Kitchen design tips

The scope with cramped kitchens can seem as limited as the space
is tight, but some thought and a bit of design know-how can make
the most of the little you have.

Take a good look at your kitchen and identify the aspects that
don't work. Limited bench space and storage are the two biggest
issues people tend to have in small kitchens. If a renovation is
out of the question, you need to rethink how you use the available
space.

Good organisation is the key to any efficient kitchen,
especially when space is limited. Aim to have a place for
everything and keep everything in its place. Plus, a few tricks can
make a space more inviting and feel more generous. Here are my tips
for arranging a tight kitchen's mise-en-place.

1. Reclaim spaceFirst up, remove clutter. Pull everything out of the
cupboards and consider what you need: sort out which items you use
regularly and need to be kept close at hand, and what can be stored
away. Keep benchtops as clear as possible - they will feel more
expansive and make for a more efficient work space.

2. Group thinkCollections of items work well. Gather your kitchen
accoutrements into pleasing stacks or groups on open shelves,
freeing up cabinet space for more bulky items. Everyday items such
as white china and glassware look great displayed en masse.

3. Vertical challengeIf your cupboards don't reach the ceiling, find a way to
use the space above - this is valuable real estate in terms of
kitchen storage. The trick is to use these hard-to-reach spaces for
things you use less frequently. Vases, for example, can be grouped
attractively on top of the cupboards, or if you prefer items
concealed, store them in baskets or boxes.

4. Room to moveReview items that can be stored out of the kitchen. This
is a chance to be creative: an old armoire, a glass-fronted display
cabinet, even an old wardrobe, or a shelving unit can turn storage
into a styling exercise, again arranging in pleasing groups.
Sometimes it's possible to park a cabinet or fridge cheekily in
another room. A retro Smeg refrigerator, for example, could easily
take pride of place in or out of the kitchen. If you're taking on a
building project, steal space from a laundry or other adjacent room
and build a recess in which to park your fridge.

5. Dual purpose Instead of being packed away, trays, baskets, bowls and
platters can do double duty. A tray can sit on a coffee or dining
table holding a group of vases, candles or magazines, say, yet is
still available when needed for its usual task. A trolley can be a
tiny kitchen's workhorse, offering extra work or storage space, or
functioning as a bar, coffee station, or servery.

6. AccessoriseHooks, racks, inserts and so on increase space inside
cabinets. Expanding shelf organisers - tiered shelves with
adjustable widths to fit inside cupboards - are ideal for jars,
spices, glasses and cups. Plate racks and magazine racks can hold
rogue saucepan lids. Even the ceiling can be used to hang pots and
pans, perhaps from a suspended ladder in French country-kitchen
style. Pegboard on the wall can hold utensils and pans, or place it
inside cupboards to hold utensils if you prefer to conceal rather
than reveal. A large lazy Susan can ease access inside corner
cupboards.

7. Think bigOne large piece such as a dresser or hutch can bring
order, while a mixture of small elements looks busy. A large
shallow cabinet, just 19cm deep (which holds two standard food
cans), built floor-to-ceiling and wall-to-wall will yield a massive
amount of storage while barely encroaching on the floor plan. This
kind of clever cabinetry is wonderfully efficient while storing,
for example, rows of attractive jars (again, depending on whether
you like to reveal or conceal). Kitchen heaven.

8. Surface treatmentsMaterials and colours can provide a little visual
trickery. People usually think white is the colour of choice in
small spaces, but dark colours can make walls appear to recede,
giving the illusion of more space. Limit colours and materials to
just one or two elements. Remember, you want the eye to read high
and wide. There's an opportunity to think big and bold here, too.
Patterns can stretch and expand boundaries. Think classic
chequerboard tiles and modern chevrons on walls and floors.
Stainless steel, mirrors, and any shiny surfaces reflect light,
making a space feel more generous.

9. The final flourishConsider placing an artwork in the kitchen or a feature
piece such as a beautiful pendant light to add a touch of
style.

PHOTOGRAPHY MAREE
HOMER/BAUERSYNDICATION.COM.AU

This article is from the April 2013 issue of Australian
Gourmet Traveller.

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